Wiz never woulda came here. I recall reading an article talking about the wings screwed his uncle out of his job with the wings, or something like that.

Link? Or is that speculation? Fact is that James Wisniewski was coming off his best career season, could have gone to most any team in the league, and signed with the worst team in the NHL because they paid him competitively and went out of their way to show him they specifically wanted him by trading for his rights.

His negotiating rights were traded for a conditional seventh round pick and "future considerations". Apparently a conditional sixth round pick and future considerations was too rich for KH's blood. Never know what can happen if you get those extra couple weeks. In this case one of the worst teams in the history of the NHL was able to convince one of the hottest free agents in that year's class to come play for them. On the flip side, we have a hard time convincing anyone of any value to come play here. Maybe we should start trading for negotiating rights...

GMRwings: "Well, in other civilized countries, 16 years old isn't considered underage. For instance, I believe the age of consent is 16 in Canada. There's some US states where it's 16 as well.

Well you've got em: Quincey, White, Colaiacovo, Sammy. They're all very willing to take less money and provide less quality play. Also, Holland could have traded for Wiz's rights just as easily as Columbus did. James didn't even make it to the UFA market because Columbus traded for his rights, showed him they meant business, and that they were willing to offer him a competitive wage. Detroit was "interested" in him but did none of that...so of course they missed out.

He could of, but that would've been a waste would it have not? Wiz was already set on not coming to Detroit, he labeled off exactly why he went to Columbus. Even in the interviews he said that the minute Columbus called he made him and his agent go meet with them. It was close to his home, and he was going to get big $$$. That's all he wanted, secure huge paycheck and close to home. His agent even said that he would've gotten more money in free agency, he just didn't care. There was no helping Wiz, the dude's mind was already made. We can sit here and complain about it non-stop similar to Hossa or we can realize that he simply doesn't like Detroit.

When you don't get free agents, you have to look at other options. Holland went with what he could get. Would you have rather him not get anyone at all? Carlo I honestly don't have problems with, as long as he can stay healthy. This season wasn't the best, but we can't see the future and maybe it seems more brighter. I know the pattern isn't looking good for him, but thing's aren't always so static. White, I think he is an alright defensemen but he has fallen deep into a hole he won't get out of. He doesn't have wheels, and he hesitates his first pass which makes the lanes close. Sammy... ugh, i'm not a hater but he's certianly frustrating this season, i'll give you that. Quincey... I don't hate his play as much as I hate his personality. He isn't the worst, but paying a 1st round pick certainly hurt. Holland wanted his baby back.

He could of, but that would've been a waste would it have not? Wiz was already set on not coming to Detroit, he labeled off exactly why he went to Columbus. Even in the interviews he said that the minute Columbus called he made him and his agent go meet with them. It was close to his home, and he was going to get big $$$. That's all he wanted, secure huge paycheck and close to home. His agent even said that he would've gotten more money in free agency, he just didn't care. There was no helping Wiz, the dude's mind was already made. We can sit here and complain about it non-stop similar to Hossa or we can realize that he simply doesn't like Detroit.

When you don't get free agents, you have to look at other options. Holland went with what he could get. Would you have rather him not get anyone at all? Carlo I honestly don't have problems with, as long as he can stay healthy. This season wasn't the best, but we can't see the future and maybe it seems more brighter. I know the pattern isn't looking good for him, but thing's aren't always so static. White, I think he is an alright defensemen but he has fallen deep into a hole he won't get out of. He doesn't have wheels, and he hesitates his first pass which makes the lanes close. Sammy... ugh, i'm not a hater but he's certianly frustrating this season, i'll give you that. Quincey... I don't hate his play as much as I hate his personality. He isn't the worst, but paying a 1st round pick certainly hurt. Holland wanted his baby back.

Contradictory? He wanted big money but didn't go to free agency where he would've been paid even more? Holland's cheapness preceded him is why Wiz didn't give him the time of day. Detroit is just as close to his home and was a much better team than the BJs at the time.

Contradictory? He wanted big money but didn't go to free agency where he would've been paid even more? Holland's cheapness preceded him is why Wiz didn't give him the time of day. Detroit is just as close to his home and was a much better team than the BJs at the time.

esteef

I thought about it before I had hit enter but it's alittle hard to read. I should've been more clearer before hitting enter. What I meant is that he knew Columbus would offer him a great paycheck and he would be close to home. He didn't need to hit free agency. He was content with the huge paycheck that Columbus paid out because it's what he was looking for. The man simply doesn't and didn't like Detroit, but he got as close as he could to Michigan with the paycheck.

I just looked through a 10 page wizzy thread on here from 2011. Couldnt find the post i was looking for. I could be mistaking him for Kesler. But I know ive read that somewhere where a hometown kid who grew up hating the wings because they screwed his family and it caused alot of struggle for them.

I've always like Semin, he's a quality hockey player. But I've REALLY wanted Wisniewski for a long time. I couldn't believe Detroit passed on him until I remembered that he's young, tough, and not currently working through any issues that would drive down his market value. But what I wouldn't give for a top four defenseman that can hit, fight, score, and run a powerplay? Alas, Ian White was available at the same time. And when a bargain like that comes along you can't afford not to take advantage of it.

Bitterness abounds. Bitterness untempered by knowledge, for that matter. As others have noted in this thread, Wizniewski would never have signed with the Wings. He made this clear.

The guy is overrated anyway. He's fairly good on offense when given first-pairing minutes, but he's a sieve in his own end.

Contradictory? He wanted big money but didn't go to free agency where he would've been paid even more? Holland's cheapness preceded him is why Wiz didn't give him the time of day. Detroit is just as close to his home and was a much better team than the BJs at the time.

esteef

So because of one snarky comment by a player, you're now criticizing Holland's for his acuity at getting players to sign very affordable contracts. Yikes.

There is a pretty good argument that if we spent the money on Wiz we would be worse off. He's been injured a ton since 2010, he's a one dimensional guy that would play a ton of minutes and hurt us defensively. Do we really think that having Wiz here missing 40+ games last season and 1/3 of this one( he's only played more than 70 games once in his career) would really help us that much? Then add to the salary he's making and the constraints of us actually going for a player that would make us better in he future? You pay 5 million + on really good players that can stay healthy, Wisniewski is not this type of player in my opinion. His offensive skill would probably be worth it for some teams, but with his injury history in addition to our defense that really lacks a lock-down defensive guy outside of Ericsson, he would not be the answer.

There's also an argument that signing Wiz and pairing him with Lids all season could've propelled us further than a first round exit in the playoffs. And maybe playing a puck moving style of hockey means he wouldn't have been injured in the first place. Wiz has never been benched in Columbus for sucking whereas Ian White has in Detroit. I know I'd rather have Wiz as a d-man right now and as we move to the more rugged Eastern Conference than Ian White. Wiz certainly wouldn't look to the ref to do something when Howard gets bolled over. But hey, once again, Holland got a "bargain".

No doubt about it, Wiz is better than White. But unlike Wiz, White can be let go after this year and we can move on to find someone better and White is getting paid about 3 million less* . Wisniewski is injury prone, flat and plainly. He gets injured too much, you didn't like Holland going after Sammy right? Seems hypocritical to me, Samuelsson actually played more games last season...

No doubt about it, Wiz is better than White. But unlike Wiz, White can be let go after this year and we can move on to find someone better and White is getting paid about 3 million more . Wisniewski is injury prone, flat and plainly. He gets injured too much, you didn't like Holland going after Sammy right? Seems hypocritical to me, Samuelsson actually played more games last season...

Maybe signing Wiz means we don't have to move on and find someone better. And I'd actually like Holland to go after Semin for a 1 year deal this offseason instead of an old injury prone re-tread like Sammy but I'm not the "Best GM in the NHL". Once again, Holland's cheapness kept him from improving the team.